Kenyan defender George Gitau is set to earn minutes in the English Football League (EFL) Championship with Middlesbrough going by manager Michael Carrick’s latest comments.
The former Crystal Palace, Arsenal, and Brighton defender has been in the club’s Under 21 set up after being promoted from the Under 18 team last July.
Gitau has been handed an appearance in one of the games early on in pre-season as Boro suffered a 2-1 loss to Hartlepool United last Saturday.
The former Manchester United midfielder emphasised the importance of handing games to academy prospects though he cautioned that some may not grab the opportunity with both hands.
“We’ve got to give them a chance, that’s why they’re at the club. Some will take the chance and some might not, but there is no point in me talking about it all season and then not giving them a chance,” said Carrick in as per The Northern Echo.
During pre-season Carrick has handed minutes to George Gitau, Jeremy Sivi and new arrival Terrell Agyemang who featured against Hartlepool and several others involved at York the day later, with Ajay Matthews and Jack Stott featuring in both games.
Carrick noted that some of the players who have excelled in pre-season will be handed minutes in the 2023-2024 Championship season as Middlesbrough seek promotion back to the league after falling short last season in the playoffs.
“It’s what the club’s academy is there for and why everyone works so hard in the academy. The aim and hard work is to get the boys to a level where they can take the next step. Quite a few have had that experience this summer, which is great for them.
“Obviously we learn a lot from that as well and we assess who’s done well, and who we might look to develop and make part of the squad moving forward. We always have them train with us a lot anyway, so that doesn’t change.”
Last season Middlesbrough issued first team debuts to academy graduates Hayden Hackney, who established himself as a Boro star in the midfield with the likes of Pharrell Willis and Sonny Finch also being handed games.
